*Hugs* to you. I had a similar situation with my first child almost 6 years ago. I was 28 weeks and I fell on my side when I was crossing the street. I went in to be checked out just in case (it wasn't anything serious) and was having contractions. I was kept in the hospital a few days, given magnesium sulfate via iv and steriods for the baby's lungs and sent home on terbutaline and on bed rest. A week later I lost my plug and was in the hospital again for about a week, when they did a ultrasound to check on baby's development and got more steroids etc. Went home again on strict bedrest. I was dialated and effaced...I don't remember the numbers though. I was scared to death that I was going to have my baby early and he was going to be in NICU or have health problems.
And guess what!!!! I went full term. I was induced at 37 1/2 weeks because I was group B strep positive and I needed the antibiotics, they knew I would go fast and I lived kinda far from the hospital and they wanted to make sure I got them and didn't just have the baby in the car. My labor was very fast. 3 1/2 hours. Very intense (and I know cause I didn't have drugs). They broke my water and gave me just a touch of pitocin and I went really really fast. I think some people's bodies just get ready a little faster/more gradual than others and so they start earlier. I didn't know I was having contractions...I never felt them until I was "in labor" but I did have alot of Braxton Hicks and pretty much always felt very "tight" so it was probably hard for me to tell. I know it's hard not to worry, but I just wanted to give you a "good" story to try to help you not worry so much. My baby is now a healthy 5 year old. My second baby I did not have the same complications, everything was smooth sailing till I found out he was breech and wouldn't turn so he ended up a C section.
No one can say what will happen, but try not to worry too much. What is going to happen is going to happen whether you worry or not. This time in between is hard without knowing what is going to happen. Stay strong for your little one and try to keep a positive outlook. Good luck!